Present embodiments include an automation control system that includes an input/output device module with a device bus therein. The input/output module also includes a first bus contact on a first side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus, and a second bus contact on a second side of the input/output device module and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus. The second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side and the input/output device module is configured to be coupled with additional input/output device modules positioned on the first and second sides of the input/output device module via the first and second bus contacts. Further, the first and second bus contacts are positioned on non-lateral surfaces of the input/output device module, the first and second contacts include spring-loaded connectors, the first and second contacts include two-prong or three-prong forks, or the input/output device module is a terminal block.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. An automation control system, comprising: a terminal block of an input/output device; a device bus within the terminal block; a first bus contact comprising a two-pronged first mating feature on a first side of the terminal block and communicatively coupled with a first end of the device bus; and a second bus contact comprising a second mating feature comprising two prongs on a second side of the terminal block and communicatively coupled with a second end of the device bus, wherein the second side generally faces an opposite direction from the first side, wherein the terminal block is configured to be coupled with additional terminal blocks positioned on the first and second sides of the terminal block via the first and second bus contacts, and wherein the two-pronged first mating feature of the first bus contact is sized to wedge between the two prongs of the second mating feature such that the two prongs of the second mating feature engage outer edges of the first mating feature.
2. The automation control system of claim 1 , wherein prongs of each of the first and second mating features are curved.
3. The automation control system of claim 2 , wherein the prongs of at least one of the first and second mating features include flared tips.
4. The automation control system of claim 1 , wherein the second mating feature of the second bus contact comprises a three-prong mating feature including a pair of outer prongs and a center prong disposed between the outer prongs, wherein the pair of outer prongs and the center prong extend in the same direction.
5. The automation control system of claim 4 , wherein the outer prongs are curved and the center prong is straight.
6. The automation control system of claim 4 , wherein the first mating feature comprises a pair of prongs that are configured to be disposed about the center prong and between the outer prongs.
7. The automation control system of claim 1 , wherein one or both of the first and second bus contacts include spring-loaded connectors.
8. The automation control system of claim 1 , comprising an additional terminal block of an additional input/output device, wherein the first bus contact and second bus contact of the terminal block are coupled with opposite bus contacts on the additional terminal block.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
August 19, 2011
July 7, 2015
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